5 Important Vacuum Pump Maintenance Checks

In order to have a good maintenance system for chamber vacuum sealers, assign a responsible person who checks every couple of weeks the following points:

1. Check the oil
Check the oil level through the sight glass. Is it lower than the allowed limit indicated? Top it up with the right oil.

Check its condition. As the oil collects contaminants, it becomes darker. Clean oil is nearly opaque and is similar in appearance to vegetable oil. A slightly darker oil means you should do an oil change. A dark brown or black oil means you need to manually clean and flush the pump system. Otherwise, all the residual of the contaminated oil will mix in and defeat the purpose of an oil change.

More information: Minipack Oil Change FAQ

2. Run the oil conditioning program
If your vacuum sealer model has an oil conditioning program, run this at least once a month. It brings the vacuum pump to maximum operating temperature. This will heat the oil above 212°F and boil off the moisture that accumulated in the pump. This is part of the Minipack MVS Double Chamber, VacSmart Double Chamber. The MX Series is designed to automatically prompt the oil conditioning program.

3. Look for oil leaks
A very small quantity of oil may be expelled through the exhaust. If the quantity increases, check “why does the machine leak oil?”

4. Listen to your vacuum pump
How does your vacuum pump sound? Can you hear anything other than a humming noise – like a chattering, hissing, or rattling? Older pumps may become slightly louder as they reach the end of their expected life, but any unexplained noises should be checked out as soon as possible. They could indicate something loose in the system, or that debris has entered somewhere it shouldn’t be.

5. Check the pump performance
Conduct a test of the pump speed and ability to pull a full vacuum. You don’t need a millibar reader. A simple cycle of sealing your typical food item will show. Is it still within the usual parameters? If it is lower, the pump requires maintenance, as something is affecting its efficiency.

For all questions, visit the Minipack Help Center and check for our extensive section of FAQs on chamber vacuum sealers.